Covered Urn
Unknown Artist
1785–1815
Medium
Porcelain
Dimensions
H. 16 1/8 in. (41 cm)
Classification
Urn
Culture
Chinese
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. W. Murray Crane, 1954
Accession Number
54.87.34 a,b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant Covered Urn, crafted in porcelain between 1785 and 1815, exemplifies the exquisite artistry of Chinese export ware during the late Qing Dynasty. Standing at 16⅛ inches (41 cm) tall, its graceful form features a domed lid and baluster body, likely adorned with intricate landscape motifs—a hallmark of the period's decorative porcelain. These scenes, evoking misty mountains, winding rivers, and serene pavilions, reflect China's longstanding tradition of literati painting translated into ceramic form, blending functionality with poetic beauty. Produced for Western markets, including ...